Knight Piesold
Knight Piésold is an employee-owned global engineering and environmental consulting firm with ~1,400 staff across 29 offices in 16 countries, serving mining, power, water resources, and infrastructure clients with specialist expertise in tailings management, geotechnics, hydropower, and environmental services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1921
- HeadquartersVancouver, Canada
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Knight Piesold does
Knight Piésold is an employee-owned global consulting engineering firm founded in 1921 in South Africa and now headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. The firm employs approximately 1,400 professionals across 29 offices in 16 countries spanning Africa, the Americas, Australia, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. It provides specialist engineering, environmental, and geoscience consulting services to four primary verticals: mining, power (hydropower, pumped storage, renewables), water resources, and infrastructure. Core service lines include tailings and mine waste management, geotechnical engineering, dam engineering, water management, environmental and social impact assessment, permitting, heap leach pad design, pipelines and pump stations, and mine closure/reclamation. The firm holds Engineer-of-Record mandates on marquee assets such as Mantos Blancos, Cerro Negro (Newmont), Veladero, Site C Clean Energy Project (BC Hydro, 1,230 MW), and Codelco's Talabre Thickened Tailings Project.
The firm's technology stack is built around specialist numerical modeling tools (PLAXIS, FLAC, SEEP/W, SLOPE/W, and others) for geotechnical and hydraulic analyses, and its proprietary FULCRUM web-based data management platform which integrates climatology, GIS, geochemistry, environmental monitoring, and construction QA/QC across projects with bank-grade security. It also operates state-of-the-art tailings dam monitoring systems combining InSAR satellite imaging, photogrammetry, and automated remote instrumentation. The firm pioneered alternative tailings management technologies including sub-aqueous, thickened, paste, and dry-stack systems, and developed the largest capacity Coanda screen intake in the world for run-of-river hydropower.
Knight Piésold generates revenue exclusively through professional services engagements — feasibility studies, detailed engineering design, construction monitoring, environmental assessment, permitting, and operational support — delivered on a project-by-project basis via competitive proposals and multi-year contracts. Pricing is project-specific and not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market approach is enterprise field sales: direct engagement with major mining operators (Codelco, Newmont, Agnico Eagle, McEwen Mining, Baffinland), power developers (BC Hydro), and government entities (Salton Sea, Klamath River authorities). Marketing relies on industry conferences (Tailings 2025, ICOLD), technical publications, and an award-laden track record rather than digital or channel-based demand generation. The firm is privately held with no parent company, no institutional PE/VC backing, and no public listing.
Knight Piesold firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Knight Piesold
- Legal name
- Knight Piésold
- Website
- https://knightpiesold.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1921
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Knight Piésold is an employee-owned global engineering and environmental consulting firm with ~1,400 staff across 29 offices in 16 countries, serving mining, power, water resources, and infrastructure clients with specialist expertise in tailings management, geotechnics, hydropower, and environmental services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Knight Piesold industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Engineering Consulting Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Nonmetallic Minerals (except Fuels) Mining (213115), Support Activities for Mining (21311), Support Activities for Metal Mining (213114), Support Activities for Mining (2131), Support Activities for Mining (213)
- SIC
- General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Brownfield Expansions & Sustaining Capital Projects (Debottlenecking, Upgrades) (IMAKAOAJ)
Keywords
Where Knight Piesold is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vancouver
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices28 records
Markets served
Knight Piesold business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Engineering Consulting Services: Knight Piésold generates revenue through providing specialized engineering consulting services including feasibility studies, detailed engineering design, construction monitoring, and project management for mining, power, water resources, and infrastructure projects. Revenue is project-based, earned through professional service engagements ranging from early-stage studies through to construction support and operational monitoring.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Project-based professional consulting services |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Knight Piesold product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Knight Piésold is a global engineering and environmental consulting firm providing specialist services to the mining, power, water resources, and infrastructure industries. It delivers integrated consulting across all project stages—from feasibility studies, environmental baseline assessments, and permitting through detailed engineering design, construction monitoring, and operational support—with particular depth in tailings and mine waste management, hydropower, and geotechnical engineering. Revenue is earned through project-based professional service engagements.
Product overview
Knight Piésold is an employee-owned global consulting firm providing specialist engineering, environmental, and geoscience services to the mining, power, water resources, and infrastructure industries. Founded in 1921, the company operates 29 offices across 16 countries with approximately 1,400 employees. The service portfolio centers on five core practice areas: Mining Services (including tailings and mine waste management, water management, rock mechanics, geotechnics, heap leach design, and mine closure); Power Services (hydropower, renewable energy, thermal power, hybrid systems, and transmission infrastructure); Water Resources Services (hydrology, hydrogeology, dam engineering, water conveyance); Environment Services (impact assessments, baseline studies, permitting); and Infrastructure Services (transportation, water infrastructure, pipelines). The company also offers a proprietary web-based data management platform called FULCRUM for project connectivity and real-time data management. Projects span hydroelectric developments (including the 1,230 MW Site C Clean Energy Project), mining operations (tailings storage facilities at multiple global mines), and various infrastructure projects across six continents.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Mining Services Integrated engineering and environmental consulting for surface and underground mining projects across all development stages, including tailings management, water management, geotechnics, and closure planning, for mining operators worldwide.
- Power Services Energy solutions including hydropower (storage, pumped storage, run-of-river), wind, solar, geothermal, thermal power, and transmission infrastructure for private and public sector clients worldwide.
- Water Resources Services Comprehensive water resource expertise spanning hydrology, hydrogeology, climatology, fluvial geomorphology, dam engineering, water conveyance, and wastewater treatment design for infrastructure and resource development.
- Environment Services Environmental and social impact assessments, baseline studies, permitting, community engagement, environmental analysis and modeling, and environmental management planning integrated with ESG standards for resource development projects.
- Infrastructure Services Geotechnical and structural engineering for transportation, water infrastructure, and pipelines including design, construction monitoring, and quality assurance for industrial and public infrastructure projects.
- Tailings and Mine Waste Management Comprehensive tailings storage facility design, monitoring, and management including alternative tailings technologies (sub-aqueous, thickened, paste, dry stack systems) and dam breach assessments, serving mining operators globally.
- Hydropower Engineering Run-of-river, water storage, and pumped storage hydropower development with capabilities in 4-quadrant hydraulic transient analyses and in-house GIS-based site identification tools.
- FULCRUM Data Management Platform Knight Piésold's proprietary web-based data management and analysis system providing secure project connectivity, real-time data access, and integration for climatology, environmental analyses, GIS, geochemistry, and construction QA/QC, with security capabilities comparable to online banking.
Quantifiable outcome
- 790+ delegates from 22 countries engaged at single conference (Tailings 2025)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Knight Piesold
Customer profileNamed customers17 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Knight Piesold technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Knight Piesold partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.
- STRACON ChilemajorSTRACON Chile is providing mining and engineering services for Tesoro Gold's El Zorro Gold project in Chile. Knight Piésold is separately providing tailings facility design services for the same project.
- GR Engineering ServicesmajorGR Engineering Services is handling processing plant planning for Tesoro Gold's El Zorro Gold project in Chile, while Knight Piésold provides tailings facility design for the same project.
- AusencocoreAusenco is working alongside Knight Piésold on the Feasibility Study for Solaris Resources' Warintza copper project in Ecuador. Knight Piésold is providing engineering services as part of the study team targeting full permitting by H2 2026.
- Wood Canada LimitedcoreWood Canada Limited is part of the feasibility study team for Fireweed Metals' Mactung Tungsten Project in Yukon, Canada. The team also includes SLR Consulting, Ausenco, Worley Canada Services, Knight Piésold, and Lorax Environmental Services Ltd.
- SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd.coreSLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. is part of the feasibility study team for Fireweed Metals' Mactung Tungsten Project. The multi-firm team includes Wood Canada, Ausenco, Worley, Knight Piésold, and Lorax Environmental.
- Worley Canada Services Ltd.coreWorley Canada Services Ltd. is part of the feasibility study team for Fireweed Metals' Mactung Tungsten Project in Yukon, working alongside Knight Piésold and other engineering consultants.
- Lorax Environmental Services Ltd.coreLorax Environmental Services Ltd. provides environmental consulting as part of the Mactung Tungsten Project feasibility study team working with Knight Piésold and other engineering firms.
- TAKRAF GroupmajorTAKRAF Group is supplying seven 60-meter DELKOR High-Density Thickeners with the highest torque ratings ever delivered for Codelco's Talabre Thickened Tailings Project in Chile. Knight Piésold provided advanced engineering for this major infrastructure project.
- Weir GroupmajorWeir Group is providing a $54 million pumping system capable of handling over 10,000 dry tons per hour—the largest GEHO pump order in Weir's history—for Codelco's Talabre Thickened Tailings Project in Chile. Knight Piésold provided engineering for this project.
Scale indicators7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Knight Piesold competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GHD: Employee-owned global engineering consultancy like Knight Piésold, with mining, water, and environment practices across Australia, Africa, and the Americas. Competes for environmental impact assessments, tailings engineering, and water resource mandates.
- Hatch: Canadian-headquartered engineering consultancy with deep mining, tailings, and energy practices and similar employee-owned heritage. Direct competitor for mining feasibility, tailings, and hydropower mandates with overlapping client base.
- SLR Consulting: Environmental and advisory consultancy with strong mining and tailings practice. Co-engaged with Knight Piésold on multi-firm feasibility teams (Mactung Tungsten) and competes for environmental and permitting mandates.
- Wood Group: Global engineering and consultancy serving mining, energy, and infrastructure. Co-delivers feasibility studies with Knight Piésold (e.g., Mactung Tungsten Project with Fireweed Metals), making it a close competitor and frequent consortium partner.
- Ausenco: Specialist engineering and project delivery firm with a strong mining and metals focus, particularly in process plant engineering for copper and gold. Partners with Knight Piésold on tailings and feasibility assignments (Warintza, Mactung), making it both a competitor and consortium peer.
- Worley: Global engineering and project delivery firm with substantial mining and energy practices. Directly competes for feasibility and engineering mandates, and is currently co-engaged with Knight Piésold on Fireweed's Mactung feasibility team.
Broad incumbents
- Stantec: Major North American engineering, environmental, and infrastructure consultancy with established mining and water resource practices. Competes with Knight Piésold for environmental impact assessments, water resource studies, and tailings-related engineering services.
- Tetra Tech: Large engineering and consulting firm with deep water, environment, and mining practice. Competes with Knight Piésold in environmental impact assessment, water resources, and tailings-related engineering, particularly in Africa and the Americas.
- AtkinsRéalis: Major global engineering and project management firm with a Mining & Metals practice. Competes with Knight Piésold for feasibility, engineering, and project management work on large mining and hydropower projects across multiple geographies.
- WSP Global: Large global engineering professional services firm with a sizable mining, environment, and water consulting practice. Overlaps significantly with Knight Piésold in tailings management and environmental impact assessment, but operates at much larger scale across many sectors beyond mining.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Knight Piesold social profiles
Digital presenceKnight Piesold compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Knight Piesold financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Knight Piesold leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Knight Piesold subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
Knight Piesold funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Knight Piesold M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Knight Piesold
What does Knight Piesold do?
Knight Piésold is a global engineering and environmental consulting firm providing specialist services to the mining, power, water resources, and infrastructure industries. It delivers integrated consulting across all project stages—from feasibility studies, environmental baseline assessments, and permitting through detailed engineering design, construction monitoring, and operational support—with particular depth in tailings and mine waste management, hydropower, and geotechnical engineering. Revenue is earned through project-based professional service engagements.
Is Knight Piesold a public or private company?
Knight Piesold is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Knight Piesold founded?
Knight Piesold was founded in 1921. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Knight Piesold based?
Knight Piesold is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Knight Piesold make money?
One revenue line is on record: engineering Consulting Services.
Who are Knight Piesold's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GHD, Hatch, SLR Consulting, Wood Group, Ausenco and Worley. Broad incumbents are Stantec, Tetra Tech, AtkinsRéalis and WSP Global.
Does Knight Piesold have an API?
No public API is recorded for Knight Piesold.
What industry is Knight Piesold in?
Knight Piesold's product category is Engineering Consulting Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAKAOAJ, Brownfield Expansions & Sustaining Capital Projects (Debottlenecking, Upgrades). Its NAICS code is 213115 and its SIC code is 1540.